Massage

[Justin]

I haven't had too many massages over the years -- too expensive. However, I've been feeling so bad the last couple of months that I have been getting one about once every 2 weeks. It has given me so much relief, albeit temporary. I really like a deep tissue massage, so it's hard when my wife (all 115 lbs of her) tries to give me a massage in between sessions.

If you can find a good massage, it has been well worth it for me lately--it's been "knocking out" the inflammation in my low back and breaking up the hypertrophic, fibrotic muscles and tissue texture changes in my back and legs. My lymphatics have been working overtime!

If they didn't cost so much, I would be on that table every day!

[Terry Newton]

I used to get an 1.5 hour massage once a week before I bought a house. Once you own a home you become permanently poor and a slave to your home. The next best thing is to teach a spouse to perform this much loving and caring service and, buy machines. I went to Relax The Back website and purchased a massager called; "The Dolphin." It has different heads that deal with general musculature massage and trigger point massage. Highly recommended. As Justin has said, massage can be highly beneficial and is a great alternative remedy.

Terry Newton

[cavalier]

Before I had my L4L5 ADR surgery with Dr B. I had massage for my Sacriliac in my legs & low back area - it really did help at least for that not for any disc pain mind you but for the other areas that get tensed up. Now I am back again i only go once a week for my shoulders & arms due to my neck issues - it helps to relieve & improve lymph drainage & takes the fever like areas down - helps the shoulders & arms with blood circulation. While it cant help the neck again the main problem or source it does help to combat some of the tightness at times in the rest of the areas. It is the best 30 bucks i can spend. I only do a 1/2 hr. Jill

[Justin]

Jill, that's a deal! You are so right: the increased work of your lymphatics and the increased blood flow to your muscles really help with the tissue texture changes that occur with spine-related pathology. While the massage won't treat the underlying problem like you said, it can make a world of difference when the soft tissues are worked--decreasing localized inflammation and helping to relieve the chronic changes within surrounding structures.

Thanks for reminding me...I need to book an appt for my 1st post-op massage to help with some of my leg issues.

[cavalier]

For me I think it helped to keep the muscles in better shape than had i kept letting them get overtaxed from the tension - it is a fighting battle but it helps in that arena. I think it was a part of why I could walk so much right after my Lumbar ADR surgery. I know it is helping me now with my shoulders & arms for the blood supply - my hands were ice cold & it is better now & for the Thoracic Outlet Syndrome as well.

The main problem is still there but i know it helps the 2ndary issues that come along with that.
She is a dear woman she is the owner of this place & has a massage school. Some massage people if they know you have a bad disc or more wont want the liablity at all & may not work on you. Or will only work somewhere else far away from where you are hurting - while she does NOTmassage the actual disc area - but around that & the shoulders that desperately need it. It helps. By that helping i can also tolerate this a little better. The muscles being a bit more loose then helps in not feeling I need to reach for meds which i never use nearly as much as directed anyways. I have med's left from when I broke a rib over my heart one year ago that i take when it is bad enuf now. I had over 1/2 of them still left over from the year ago with this rib.
Back to the massage - her being the teeacher of this school she has alot of years & knowledge behind her - it is NOT the Swedish massage that her students use - but she is using deep tissue massage -actual lymph & circulation type massage. Just so you know there are different types & they are not all as effective. I see her tommorrow & I cant wait - I am due.
Jill

[Justin]

Back to the massage - her being the teeacher of this school she has alot of years & knowledge behind her - it is NOT the Swedish massage that her students use - but she is using deep tissue massage -actual lymph & circulation type massage. Just so you know there are different types & they are not all as effective. I see her tommorrow & I cant wait - I am due.
Jill

Jill, you bring a very good point. I have my massages done by a woman who specializes in deep tissue massage. She works with many well-known athletes in the Philly area and she has many clients that fly in here and there just to get a massage.

Her massage is a deep tissue massage and it's what I consider a "medical massage." She has years and years of training and has pursued more education in pathology. Thus, she truly understands the pathogenesis of many diseases, which I believe results in much more "focused" massages. Having an understanding of medicine really puts her in a league of her own in terms of massage--it's the best massage I've ever had in my life and helped me stay functional through the last year of severe spine issues.

PS If anyone is in the Philly area, feel free to PM me and I can forward you her contact information.

[Gilbert P]

Hey All

I am going for my first ever Massage tomorrow, My neck is killing me tight sore etc.

I think it could be stress , work related, bad Disc ,

Is their anything i should be afraid of????

Thanks

Gilbert P

[KBear]

Be sure to drink lots of water before and after the massage, as it releases a lot of toxins out of your muscles. I have found that when I don't drink a lot of water, I can somtimes feel worse; but if I drink the water, I feel good. I hope it helps you feel better.

[rose]

Be sure to drink lots of water before and after the massage, as it releases a lot of toxins out of your muscles. I have found that when I don't drink a lot of water, I can somtimes feel worse; but if I drink the water, I feel good. I hope it helps you feel better.

I agree with Kathy on drinking lots of water. I had a massage therapist who was an "expert" on Myofascial massage. I call her "Doctor of the muscles". I had no idea there are many type of massages.
This includes deep deep tissue massage along with proper alignment of the fascia.
She told me that there are only 2 therapist who know this special technique in the whole city!!!!

[Justin]

I had a free 2 hour massage yesterday. My muscles are still thanking me.